Attachment for musical instruments



12 1%) E. F. SQHULZ ATTACHMENT FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Original Filed June 10, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

INVENTOR May 12, E. F. ECHULZ ATTACHMENT FOR MUSIC-AL INSTRUMENTS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed June 10, 1955 j o H V Ff'ed J'c/zul lNVENTOR ATTORNE May 12, ma E. F. SCHULTZ.

ATTACHMENT FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Original Filed June 10, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 169 167 BF/ed d'cfzut lNl/ENTOR ATTOR EY Patented May 12, 1936 PATENT OFFICE ATTACHMENT FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS E. Fred Schulz, Forest Park, Ill., assignor to Arthur R. Harmon, neth H. Clark, Villa La Grange, Ill., and Ken- Park, 111.

Application June 10, 1933,

Serial No. 675,194

Renewed October 5, 1935 12 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in attachments for musical instruments of the string type and consists in the combinations, constructions and arrangements herein described and claimed.

An object of my invention is to provide an attachment for a stringed musical instrument, particularly of the guitar type, which will enable the player to change the tones of certain of the strings while the instrument is being played, by means other than that normally employed for playing the instrument, whereby a greater number of chords may be obtained when the strings are picked or played in combination than would otherwise be obtainable.

A further object of my invention is to provide an attachment for a stringed musical instrument, which includes means manually operable by the player for changing the tension of a string while the instrument is being played for causing the open string to produce a different tone, when picked, from that which it would normally produce, and thereby enabling the player to obtain a greater number of chords when the string is picked or played in combination with the other strings than would otherwise be obtainable.

A further object of my invention is to provide an attachment for stringed musical instruments of the type set forth above, which may be quickly and easily adjusted for determining the proper tensions of the strings, and the resultant tones thereof.

A further object is to provide an attachment for stringed musical instruments of the type set forth above, which is simple in construction and which may be conveniently and easily actuated.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification, and the novel features of the invention will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming part of this application, in which Figure 1 is a top plan View of a guitar showing my invention connected therewith,

Figure 2 is a side elevation of a guitar showing my invention connected therewith,

Figure 3 is a detail elevational view of my device, a side portion thereof being removed.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the device shown in Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view taken substantially along the lines 55 of Figure 3,

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the lines 6-43 of Figure 4,

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the lines 'l'! of Figure 4,

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the lines 8-8 of Figure 4,

Figures 9 and 10 are detail views of portions of 5 my invention,

Figure 11 is a top plan view of a guitar showing a modified form of my invention connected therewith,

Figure 12 is a side elevation of the guitar shown 19 in Figure 11 and the modified form of my invention connected therewith,

Figure 13 is a top plan view of the form of my invention illustrated in Figures 11 and 12,

Figure 14 is a front elevation of the structure 15 shown in Figure 13, a portion being shown in section,

Figure 15 is an end elevation of the structure shown in Figures 13 and 14,

Figure 16 is a section taken along the lines I6-l6 of Figure 13,

Figure 1'7 is a section taken along the lines lll'l of Figure 13, and

Figure 18 is a section |8l8 of Figure 13.

In carrying out my invention I make use of a stringed instrument such as a guitar 1.0 which comprises a body portion or sound box l2 having a neck I4 connected therewith which terminates in a head portion 16. Strings A, B, C, D, E, and F have ends connected with a bridge l8 which is connected with the. body portion l2 and have their opposite ends connected with keys 20 by means of which their tensions may be varied for determining the desired tones thereof.

The strings extend over a nut 22 which is positioned adjacent the junction of the head por tion 16 with the neck i4, and against which the strings bear.

At this point it will be noted that when the strings A, B, C, D, E, and F are picked either singly or in combination their tones will be changed only by the player positioning his fingers between the frets 24 connected with the neck I4. 5

My invention has been illustrated as being associated with the strings B and C, and comprises a casing or housing 26 which in turn comprises a, top U-shaped member 28 and a bottom U- shaped member 30 transversely positioned with respect to each other. The top U-shaped member is connected with the head portion l6 of the instrument by any suitable means such as screws which may extend through openings in the head portion and into threaded openings 32 in the top taken along the lines side 34 of the top U-shaped member as shown in Figure 4.

The top U-shaped member provides end walls 38 and 38 and the bottom U-shaped member provides side walls 48 and a bottom wall 42.

As shown in Figures 3, 6, '7, and 8 an inner top U-shaped member 44 is disposed in the casing and comprises a top portion 46 and spaced apart side portions 48. The inner top U-shaped member 44 is transversely positioned with respect to top U-shaped member 28, so that the sides 48 thereof are disposed in substantially parallel spaced apart positions with respect to the side walls 48 of the bottom U-shaped member 38.

The top portion 46 of the U-shaped member 44 may be flxedly connected with the top side 34 of the top U-shaped member 28 by spot welding or by a pair of upwardly extending tubular members 58 and 52 extending through aligned openings in the top portion 46 and the top side 34.

An inner bottom U-shaped member 54 comprises a bottom portion 56 positioned between the ends of the sides 48 and the bottom wall 42 and sides 58 which extend over the sides 48 of the inner top U-shaped member 44.

The sides 48 and 58 are connected together by a pair of stationary shafts or pivot pins 68 and 62 which extend through aligned openings in the sides. The shafts 68 and 62 are retained against longitudinal movements by the sides 48 and perform another function in addition to connecting the members 44 and 54 which will be set forth hereinafter.

The U-shaped member 38 is connected with the U-shaped member 44 by means of screws 64 which extend through openings in the sides 48 and are receivable in threaded openings 66 in the sides 48 of the member 44 as shown in Figures 3 and 8.

Piston elements 68 and 18 are slidably disposed in the tubular members 58 and 52, respectively, and are provided with threaded openings I2 therein for receiving screws I4 having slots IS in ends thereof.

The tubular members 58 and 52 extend through openings in the head portion I6 of the instrument and the strings B and C are disposed in the slots of the screws connected with the piston elements 68 and 18 respectively.

The piston element 68 associated with the string B is adapted for being moved downwardly for varying the tension of the string and the piston element I8 is adapted for being moved upwardly for varying the tension of the string C with which it is associated.

The structure for actuating the piston elements will now be described. Upon referring to Figure 6 it will be noted that an arm I8 is pivotally mounted on the shaft 68 and has an end thereof pivotally connected with an actuating rod 88. In like manner an arm 82 is pivotally mounted on the shaft 82 and has an end thereof pivotally connected with an arm 84 which in turn is pivotally connected with the piston element 58. An arm 86 is also provided having the ends thereof pivotally connected with the arms 84 and I8. The piston element 68 is provided with a reduced portion, and a circumferential flange portion 92 which is positioned at the juncture of the reduced portion 98 with the portion of the piston element having the larger diameter.

The member 54 is provided with a threaded opening therein for receiving a spring retaining member 96 which has an axial passageway therethrough for receiving the reduced portion 98.

A portion of the passageway is of greater diameter than the reduced portion 98 for providing a shoulder 98. A compression spring I88 is disposed on the reduced portion 98 and bears against the shoulder 98 and the flange portion 92.

The spring retaining member 98 may be adjusted with respect to the member 54 in order that the pressure exerted by the spring I88 against the flange portion 92, may be made sub stantially equal to the opposite pressure exerted by the normal tension of the string B against the screw 14 of the piston element 68.

Thus it will be seen that the spring I88 tends to hold the piston element 58 in its uppermost position shown in Figure 6, but that when the. rod 88 is moved to the right as viewed in Figure 6, the piston element will be moved downwardly against the tension of the spring I88 thereby decreasing the tension on the string B and thereby changing its tone.

The spring retaining member 96 has an end portion of its axial opening therethrough threaded for receiving an adjustment screw I82. The position of the adjustment screw I82 with respect to the spring retaining member 96 determines the distance that the piston element 68 can be moved downwardly and thereby enables the player to determine the proper tone of the string 13 when the arm 88 is moved.

A spring I84 is positioned between the head 3' arms I88, H8, H2, and H4 are operatively associated with the shafts 68 and 52 and the piston element I8 in a manner similar to that in which the arms 82, 84, 86, and I8 respectively are associated with the shafts 68 and 62 and the piston elements 68. The piston element I8 is provided with a reduced portion IIB the end portion of which is threaded as at H8. The reduced portion IIE extends through an opening I28 in the member 54 and provides a shoulder I22 which is normally in engagement with the member 54.

An adjustment screw I24 is disposed on the threaded end portion H8 and is provided with a reduced portion I26 forproviding a shoulder I28. A spring I38 is disposed on the reduced portion I28 and abuts the shoulder I28 and the member 54.

The spring I38 tends to retain the piston element I8 in its lowermost position shown in Figure '7. An. actuating rod I3I is pivotally connected with the arm H4, and when the actuating arm I31 is moved to the left, as viewed in Figure '7, the piston element 18 and the adjustment screw I24 will be moved upwardly for increasing the tension of the string C, thereby causing string C to produce a higher tone. The piston element I8 will be moved upwardly until the reduced portion of the adjustment screw I24 abuts the member 54 and therefore it will be seen that the position of the adjustment screw with respect to the reduced portion IIB determines the increased tension which it is desired to give to the string C for producing a higher tone.

It will be noted that the bottom wall 42 of the member 38 is provided with an opening therein sufficiently large to enable the piston elements and the elements associated therewith to extend through the opening and be unimpeded in their movements.

The actuating rods 88 and I3I extend through slotted openings I32 and I34, respectively, in the end wall 38 of the top U-shaped member 28.

The actuating rod 80 is connected with an offset rod I36 by means of a connecting link I38 and screws I49. The offset rod I36 extends beneath the neck I4 and is slidably connected therewith by a connecting element I42 having a slotted opening I44 therethrough through which the offset rod I36 slidably extends.

The connecting element I42 is connected with the neck I4 by any suitable means such as screws I46.

An extension rod I48 is connected with the actuating rod I3I by means of a connecting member I50 having spaced apart side flanges I52 for receiving the rods I3I and I 48 therebetween. A screw I54 extends through an opening in the connecting member and a slotted opening I56 in the extension rod and is receivable in a threaded opening in the actuating rod I3I, the extension rod being positioned between the actuating rod I 3| and the connecting member I50.

This construction provides for a longitudinal adjustment of the extension rod I48 with respect to the actuating rod I3I.

A connecting element I58 through which the extension rod I48 slidably extends, is provided for slidably connecting the extension rod I48 with the neck I4. The connecting element I 58 is similar to the connecting element I42 and is connected with the neck I4 in a manner similar to that for connecting the element I42.

Depending and manually operable lever arms I60 and I 62 have ends pivotally connect-ed with the extension rod I48 and the olfset rod I36, respectively, by means of pivot pins I64.

The pivotal ends of the lever arms are slotted for receiving their respective rods and provide shoulders I66 which abut their respective rods when the lever arms are in their depending positions, whereby the extension rod I48 may be moved to the left when the lever arm I60 is moved to the left, and the offset rod I36 may be moved to the right when the lever arm I62 is moved to the right, as viewed in Figures 2, 9, and 10.

The pivotal ends of the lever arms I60 and I62 may be in frictional engagement with their respective rods in order that when the lever arms are swung upwardly substantially parallel to the rods I48 and I36, at which time they are in nonoperating positions, they may be retained in these positions.

From the foregoing description of my device the operation thereof may be readily understood.

When the instrument is to be played, the player assumes a sitting posture, with the body I2 of the instrument resting on the right leg and the neck I4 extending over the left leg, the left leg being positioned between the lever arms I60 and I 62.

The player holds a bar member or steel in his left hand which he moves over the strings and picks the strings with his right hand, the position of the steel on the strings with respect to the frets 24 determining the tones of the strings.

When the steel is not held in engagement with a string, that string is said to be an open string, and the tone resulting when an open string is picked is said to be an open tone.

When during the course of playing the instrument the player desires to lower the open tone of the string B, he presses his leg against the lever arm I62 thereby causing the piston element 68 to be moved downwardly through the media of the rods I36 and 80, and the arms I8, 86, 04, and 82. The piston element 68 moves downwardly compressing the spring I00 until the piston element abuts the screw I02, thereby decreasing the tension of the string B the proper amount so that the open string B, when picked, will give the desired lower tone.

It will also be seen that when the steel is disposed on the string B in various positions, the tones resulting when the string is picked will be correspondingly lowered.

When the player releases the pressure of his leg on the lever arm I62, the spring I60 moves the piston element upwardly for increasing the tension of the string B, at which time the string will give a higher tone when picked.

The screw 14 connected with the piston element 68 provides means for properly adjusting the piston element with respect to the string B.

When the player desires to raise the tone of string C, he presses his leg against the lever arm I60 thereby causing the piston element I6 to be moved upwardly through the media of the rods I48 and I30, and the arms H4, H2, H0, and I08. The piston element 10 moves upwardl compressing the spring I30 until the reduced portion I26 of the screw I24 abuts the member 54, thereby increasing the tension of the string C the proper amount so that the open string C. when picked, will give the desired higher tone.

The position of the adjustment screw I24 with respect to piston element I0 determines the distance that the piston element may be moved for exerting the required pressure on the string C.

It will be noted that when the steel is disposed on the string C in the various positions, the tones resulting when the string is picked will be correspondingly raised.

When the player releases the pressure of his leg on the lever arm I60, the spring I30 moves the piston element 10 downwardly until the shoulder I22 of the piston member 10 engages the member 54, thereby decreasing the pressure of piston element 10 against the string C, at which time the open string C produces its nor mal tone when picked.

Thus it will be seen that by changing the tensions of the strings B and C while the instrument is being played, a greater number of chords may be played when the strings B and C are picked in combination with the other strings, than would otherwise be obtainable.

If so desired the structure may be associated with any of the other strings instead of the strings B and 0 whereby the tensions thereof may be changed while the instrument is being played.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6 the arms 04 are arranged in pairs, said paired arms being disposed in spaced positions for receiving the piston element 68 and the arms 82 and 86 therebetween. The arms 18 are also paired for receiving the arm 86 therebetween. In like manner the arms H0 and H4 shown in Figure '7 are also arranged in pairs. This arrangement of the arms contributes to the easy operation of the piston elements when the lever arms E66 and I62 are moved.

In Figures 11 to 18 inclusive I have illustrated a modified form of my invention.

This form of my invention comprises a plate member I65 which is connected with the head portion I6 adjacent to the nut 22 and is positioned transversely to the head portion I6 and substantially parallel to the nut 22.

The plate member is provided with openings I66 for receiving screws for being connected with the head portion.

Upwardly extending portions I61 are connected with the plate member and are provided with aligned openings I68 therein for receiving a pair of shafts I69 and I10 which extend through the openings.

Depending arms HI and I12 are fixedly connected with the shafts I69 and I10 respectively, and have string engaging pins I13 and I14 respectively, connected with the lower ends thereof.

The pins I13 and I14 are positioned below the B and C strings respectively, are in engagement.

A pair of depending actuating arms I15 and I16 are fixedly connected with the shafts I69 and I10 respectively by any suitable means such as nuts I11, which are disposed on threaded ends of the shafts.

Pins I18 are connected with the lower ends of the arms and are connected with each other by a spring I19.

A cam I is positioned between the pins I18 so that the edge thereof engages rollers I8I rotatably mounted on the pins I18.

The cam is rotatably mounted on a pin I82 which is connected with a connecting member I83. The connecting member is in turn connected with the plate member I65.

It will be noted at this point that the spring I19 tends to retain the rollers IBI in continuous engagement with the cam.

The cam I80 is provided with an arm portion I84 which is connected with an actuating rod I85 by means of a pin I06. The arm portion I84 is provided with a slotted opening I81 for receiving the pin.

The actuating rod extends beneath the neck Id of the instrument and is slidably connected therewith by means of fastening elements I88.

The actuating rod I85 is provided with a rod portion I89 which is adjustable with respect thereto and is connected therewith by a connecting element I90. Depending lever arms I9I and I92 are connected with the rod portion I89 and the actuating rod I85 respectively in the same manner as has been already described in connection with lever arms.

When playing the instrument the player holds the instrument in the same manner as has been described heretofore, at which time the players leg is positioned between the lever arms I9I and When the player desired to lower the pitch of the 13 string a half tone, the lever arm I9I is moved to the left as viewed in Figure 12. This movement of the lever arm I9I rotates the cam Hit clockwise as viewed in Figure 16, thereby causing the cam portion I93 to move the actuating arm I15 for rotating the shaft I69. The rotation of the shaft I69 causes the arm I1I to be moved to its dotted line position shown in Figure 18, thereby lessening the tension of string B so that the string will produce a lower tone when picked.

When it is desired to restore the string to its norma tension, the lever arm I92 is moved to the right as viewed in Figure 12, until the cam is disposed in its normal position, in which position it is shown in Figure 16.

When the player desires to increase the tension of string C so that the string will produce a higher tone when picked, he moves the lever with which they arm to the left in Figure 12 thereby rotating the cam counterclockwise.

The counterclockwise rotation of the cam causes the roller I8I connected with the actuating arm I16 to move along the face I94 of the cam, thereby moving the actuating arm I16 for rotating the shaft I10.

The rotation of the shaft I10 causes the arm I12 to be moved to its dotted line position shown in Figure 11, thereby increasing the tension of string C so that the string will produce a higher tone when picked.

When the player desires to lower the tone of string C again he moves the lever arm I9I to the left in Figure 12 until the cam I80 assumes its normal position.

It will be noted that the cam is provided with shoulders I95 which engage the rollers IBI for limiting the rotation of the cam. While I have illustrated and described a certain embodiment of my invention, it will be readily understood that certain modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A device adapted to be attached to a guitar for varying the tone of a string thereof compris ing a support adapted to be secured to the lower side of the neck of the guitar, a reciprocatory member carried by said support and adapted to extend through the neck into contact with said string, and leg operable means for actuating said member vertically for varying the tension of said string during the playing of the guitar.

2. A device adapted to be attached to a guitar for varying the tone of a string thereof comprising a support adapted to be secured to the neck of the guitar, a reciprocatory member carried by said support and adapted to extend vertically through said neck into contact with said string, a system of links connected to said member, and horizontally movable leg operable means attached to said link system for effecting the vertical actuation of said reciprocal member for varying the tension of said string during the playing of the guitar.

3. A device adapted to be attached to a stringed instrument for varying the tone of a string thereof comprising a support adapted to be secured to the instrument, a reciprocatory member adapted to contact with said string, leg operable means for actuating said member, and axially adjustable means carried by said reciprocatory member for varying the effective length thereof.

4. A device adapted to be attached to a stringed instrument for varying the tone of a string thereof comprising a support adapted to be secured to the instrument, a reciprocatory member adapted to contact with said string, leg operable means for actuating said member, and axially adjustable means carried by said reciprocatory member for varying the effective length thereof, said adjustable means comprising a string engaging member threadedly engaging said reciprocatory member.

i 5. A device adapted to be attached to a stringed j tory member, and having a string receiving slot in the upper end thereof.

6. A device adapted to be attached to a stringed musical instrument for varying the tone of a string thereof comprising a support, a reciprocatory member carried thereby and extending through opposite sides thereof, one end of said member being provided with a string engaging recess, the opposite end of said member being provided with stop for limiting the axial movement of said member in one direction, and leg operable means for actuating said member.

7. A device adapted to be attached to a stringed musical instrument for varying the tone of a string thereof comprising a support, a reciprocatory member carried thereby and extending through opposite sides thereof, one end of said member being provided with a string engaging recess, the opposite end of said member being provided with an axially adjustable stop for limiting the movement of said member in one direction, and leg operable means for actuating said member.

8. A device adapted to be attached to a stringed musical instrument for varying the tone of a string thereof comprising a support, a reciprocatory member carried thereby and extending through opposite sides thereof, a substantially vertical tube carried by said support for guiding said member, an adjustable member in the upper end of said reciprocatory member provided with a slot for receiving said string, a substantially horizontally movable leg operable member, and a plurality of links operatively connected to said leg operable member and said reciprocatory member for translating horizontal movement of the former into vertical movement of the latter.

9. A device adapted to be attached to the lower side of the neck of a stringed musical instrument for varying the tone of two strings thereof comprising a supporting member, a pair of substantially vertical sleeves carried thereby and adapted to project through said neck in alinement with said two strings, a reciprocatory member in each sleeve having an adjustable string contacting element at the upper end thereof, a spring encircling each of said members, one of said springs urging the respective member upwardly to increase the tension of the string contacting with the same and the other spring urging said other member downwardly to lessen the tension of the respective string, a pair of substantially horizontal operating members supported by the lower portion of said neck, and a system of links connecting each of said operating members to one of said reciprocatory members for translating horizontal movement of the former into vertical movement of the latter against the action of the respective springs thereof.

10. A device adapted to be attached to the lower side of the neck of a stringed musical instrument for varying the tone of two strings thereof comprising a supporting member, a pair of substantially vertical sleeves carried thereby and adapted to project through said neck in alinement with said two strings, a reciprocatory member in each sleeve having an adjustable string contacting element at the upper end thereof, a spring encircling each of said members, one of said springs urging the respective member upwardly to increase the tension of the string contacting with the same and the other spring urging said other member downwardly to lessen the tension of the respective string, a pair of substantially horizontal operating members supported by the lower portion of said neck, and a system of links connecting each of said operating members to one of said reciprocatory members for translating horizontal movement of the former into vertical movement of the latter against the action of the respective springs thereof, said operating members being provided with spaced depending leg engaging members.

11. A device adapted to be attached to the lower side of the neck of a stringed musical instrument for varying the tone of two strings thereof comprising a supporting member, a pair of substantially vertical sleeves carried thereby and adapted to project through said neck in alinment with said two strings, a reciprocatory member in each sleeve having an adjustable string contacting element at the upper end thereof, a spring encircling each of said members, one of said springs urging the respective member upwardly to increase the tension of the string contacting with the same and the other spring urging said other member downwardly to lessen the tension of the respective string, a pair of substantially horizontal operating members supported by the lower portion of said neck, and a system of links connecting each of said operating members to one of said reciprocatory members for translating horizontal movement of the former into vertical movement of the latter against the action of the respective springs thereof, said operating members being provided with spaced depending leg engaging members, one of said operating members being adjustable longitudinally for varying the spacing of said depending members.

12. A device adapted to be attached to the lower side of the neck of a stringed musical instrument for varying the tone of two strings thereof comprising a supporting member, a pair of substantially vertical sleeves carried thereby and adapted to project through said neck in alinement with said two strings, a reciprocatory member in each sleeve having an adjustable string contacting element at the upper end thereof, a spring encircling each of said members, one of said springs urging the respective member upwardly to increase the tension of the string contacting with the same and the other spring urging said other member downwardly to lessen the tension of the respective string, a pair of substantially horizontal operating members supported by the lower portion of said neck, and a system of links connecting each of said operating members to one of said reciprocatory members for translating horizontal movement of the former into vertical movement of the latter against the action of the respective springs thereof, said operating members being provided with spaced depending leg engaging members hinged thereto.

E. FRED SCHULZ. 

